Game-Changing Ultra-Thin Lenses Poised to Transform Technology

These innovative lenses, while currently less efficient, have the potential to transform industries such as astronomy, healthcare, and consumer electronics. Their ability to be mass-produced and customized for specific applications makes them a promising technological breakthrough.

Redefining Optical Device Manufacturing

Paper-thin optical lenses, produced with microchip manufacturing techniques, promise a new era of compact devices. Researchers at the University of Tokyo and JSR Corp. successfully created Fresnel zone plates (FZPs) using standard semiconductor equipment like the i-line stepper, marking the first scalable production of such lenses.

Unlike bulky conventional lenses or costly metalenses, FZPs offer a practical alternative, especially for space-constrained applications. This breakthrough in using common machinery underscores their potential for widespread industrial adoption.

Advancements in Lens Production Technology

“We developed a straightforward, mass-producible method for FZPs using a standard semiconductor lithography system,” explained Associate Professor Kuniaki Konishi from the Institute for Photon Science and Technology. “This became possible due to a specialized photoresist, or mask, called a color resist, initially designed as a color filter. By coating, exposing, and developing this material, we created lenses capable of focusing visible light to 1.1 microns—nearly 100 times thinner than a human hair.”

Currently, the primary limitation of these FZPs is their 7% light-gathering efficiency, which results in noisy images. However, the team is actively exploring ways to enhance efficiency by up to fourfold. This improvement would require greater control over the physical properties of the color resists, a challenge that is technically feasible but not yet realized.

Future Implications and Sustainability

“In addition to our efficient production method, we developed simulations that align closely with experimental results,” noted Konishi. “This allows us to tailor lens designs for specific applications, such as medical imaging, before committing to manufacturing.”

The production process also offers environmental and economic advantages. Unlike traditional lens manufacturing, it eliminates the use of toxic etching chemicals and significantly reduces energy consumption.

Although it may take time for these lenses—or technologies inspired by them—to appear in ultrathin smartphones or other consumer devices, their development represents a significant leap forward. The combination of mass production potential, customization, and sustainability ensures that FZPs are set to play a pivotal role in the future of optics.

Read Original Article: Scitechdaily

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